Happy Tuesday! It’s time for another edition of Tuesday Topics. This week’s Tuesday Topic: FREE topic! Remember to link-up with Kim and Zenaida and the bottom of this post.
Today is Giving Tuesday, a day of global giving.
Giving Tuesday reimagines a world built upon shared humanity and generosity. Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give.
People normally get the urge to volunteer or donate to charities during the holidays. Maybe it’s all the holiday decorations, or the music, but there’s just something about helping others that is super rewarding. The only issue is that people are normally super busy during the holidays, so it can be hard to fit in volunteering. That’s the beauty of Giving Tuesday. It focuses on the difference you can make on one day, which makes it less overwhelming. Here are a few ideas for giving back today or any day throughout the holidays.
This organization tackles food waste. Basically the organization connects local food donors (stores, bakeries, supermarkets) with local service agencies (soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters). Volunteers pick up excess food items from the food donors and deliver these items to the service agencies. Volunteers can sign up to do drop offs via the app or website. It’s a really great way to make a difference that won’t take up too much of your time (no more than one hour). I do one food rescue a week on Saturdays and it’s a great way to start my weekend.
One of my OTF friends told me about this organization two years ago. Their mission is to feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities through meals. For this organization, you make a profile on their portal and you can indicate how many lasagnas you want to make, how frequently, and how far away you are willing to travel. I don’t like to overextend myself so I sign up to make one per month and that works well with my schedule. For people that love to cook, this is an awesome way to provide a lasagna for a family in need in your community and it would only take 1-2 hours.
A few employees did this volunteer activity as part of our Global Volunteer Day and I knew I had to share. You can write letters that will be included in every Care Package sent to Military and First Responders. If you’re having family come over for the holidays, this would be a great activity that everyone could do together!
Here are a few other ideas not linked to specific organizations:
– Donate blood (this is timely as blood banks are currently experiencing a shortage)
– Drop off food donations at a food pantry
– Serve a meal at a soup kitchen
– Adopt a family for the holidays (provide holiday gifts)
– Offer to give walks to dogs at a shelter
One more note – if you’re donating to any organizations tomorrow (or any other day), look to see if your company has a matching gifts program. It’s a great way to double your impact!
Tell me: How do you practice “giving back” during the holidays?
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Topic for next week – Holiday gift guide for runners. We hope you’ll link up with us!
Thanks for all of the great ideas! I love the idea of food rescue – what a great and simple way to help out!
It’s so easy and takes less than an hour – I love it!
All great ideas.
My office adopts a family for Christmas.
And the Y (where I go) collects for the local food pantry.
Many races also support charities.
I love that your office adopts a family for the holidays – that’s so great!
Lasagna Love sounds right up my alley!
We have also worked with Operation Gratitude in the past.
I’m a perpetual volunteer, so right now, I’m donating my time and efforts to A”s high school arts programs and his Scouts. We will probably do something off an Angel Tree or similar, too.
You would be perfect for Lasagna Love!
We’re going to do Angel Tree this year too. I love this program and it really captures the essence of the holidays.
these are all great ideas for ways to donate that make a difference. I am in a monthly food donation drive and was so happy to hear that the pantry is full right now
That’s awesome news to hear that the pantry is currently full – what a blessing!
I love all of these ideas! I know everyone is busy and I wish I can just make time to volunteer more. I am not making excuses. I know I have time, I just need to make the time.
I totally understand. I wish I could volunteer more but sometimes life just gets in the way.